Marcia Campbell

Marcia Campbell's 1949 Chevrolet Convertible of Los Angeles, California. In the male-dominated world of custom cars, Marcia Campbell was a rare and inspiring figure. Passionate about Customs, she drove her brand-new 1949 Chevrolet convertible straight from the dealership to Barris Kustoms for a full transformation. The result was a stunning example of late-1940s custom style, with leadwork, a chopped top, and a signature Padded Top by Gaylord. By the time her Chevy graced the cover of Motor Trend December 1950, Marcia had already moved on, trading the one-year-old custom for Carl Abajian's 1942 Ford coupe. The techniques perfected in the 1940s laid the foundation for the golden age of Kustoms in the 1950s. With radical designs, bolder ideas, and more builders pushing boundaries, the next decade would take the scene to new heights—but it all started with pioneers like Marcia and the craftsmen who turned molten lead into rolling works of art.

Marcia Campbell was born March 15, 1932 in Huntington Park, California. She was an only child, raised alone by her mother, after her father passed away when she was four. Marcia would later grow an interest for photography. Being self taught, she started out taking mostly photos of her biggest passion, custom cars. She was a frequent visitor at Barris Kustoms in the late 1940s and in the 1950s and took countless photos around the shop. Dan Post, who started publishing custom books in 1944 discovered Marcias talent, and ran several of her photos in the last two editions of his most known book, The Blue Book of Custom Restyling. Armored with a twin-lens Rolliflex and Speed Graphic cameras, Marcia processed the films and prints in her own darkroom.

At age 15, Marcia bought her first car, a brand new 1947 Buick Sedanette. Her second car, a powder blue and white 1949 Chevrolet Convertible, was taken straight to Barris Kustoms for a full custom treatment.

Marcia Cambell's Cars

Marcia Campbell's 1947 Buick Sedanette
Marcia Campbell's 1949 Chevrolet